I think that I met JMTolman in etsy chat as I've met many of the artists that I post here...I felt that you needed to meet her and see her characters. Some of these people I think I've met and have made me laugh out loud.
1) How long have you been selling on etsy?
Since January 2009
2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?
You must advertise outside of Etsy! Promotion within the site is good, but you're advertising to other sellers. Join forums, find site that are relevant to your shop and advertise them, use other social networks, etc.
The other piece of advice is for artists: Art is hard sell, unless it is a product (ex: Jewelry, stationary) or a custom piece for the buyer. Keep an open mind about what you can sell.
3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mscorley- Fantastic illustrations. Just wonderful.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/gloomth- The clothing designs are one of a kind. You can tell they love their work!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brainscan- I bought Stolen Sharpie Revolution and it changes my views on print, design, and the DIY scene. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to publish on their own!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shrinkle- Another clothing line. I have one of their dresses and I love it.
4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?
Whip It!: This was the first gouache/pen painting I ever did, and I still like it!
Everyone is Disappointed in You: This is a painting from a workshop- the setup was the two woman (sans part hats) and the table of booze. Well, the models and the class started cracking jokes, and I decided to add my own twist. The angry Victorian portraits is my favorite part, hands down.
The Dopiest Vampire Necklace: I just think it's funny.
5) What plans do you have for your shop?
I want to be able to sell enough so I can pay off my tuition for college. Right now that's all I have planned for it. As for my art, I do a variety of commissions- I'm only 20 years old, so I need to establish myself and prove I can do the work.
6) How long have you been creating art?
Since I was three or so. A very long time, heh.
7) Who are your art heroes?
Alphonse Mucha, JC Leyendecker, Brom, Junko Mizuno, Amano, Toulouse LaTrec, Jhonen Vasquez, Junji Ito, Edward Gorey, and JH Williams!
8) Where do your ideas come from?
I'm honestly not sure how specific ideas come about, but they're all influenced by my interests- I'll explain below.
9) What do you do when you have a creative block?
Take a break for a hour, or start over with a new approach. Sometimes a design just doesn't work, no matter how much work you put into it.
10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?
Horror, music (I have music-to-color synesthesia, so this is a big influence) fantasy, sci-fi, pop culture history, punk, fringe culture, cabaret, magic shows, the paranormal (from a skeptic's point of view) old movies, and fashion.
